Colombo, April 19 (NationPress) On Sunday, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan engaged in discussions with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya regarding the vital need to enhance bilateral relationships, particularly in fostering people-to-people connections.

According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted on X, "Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya welcomed Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan during his current visit to Sri Lanka."

"The leaders recalled the shared civilizational heritage of both nations and emphasized the importance of further solidifying bilateral relations, including the strengthening of people-to-people ties," he added.

Earlier that day, Vice President Radhakrishnan met with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, where they discussed enhancing both bilateral and cultural relations.

During this meeting, Radhakrishnan reiterated India's dedication to its Neighbourhood First policy.

"Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo today. Their discussions were fruitful, focusing on further deepening the multifaceted ties between India and Sri Lanka, founded on shared history and cultural values," Jaiswal mentioned on X.

"Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan reaffirmed India’s commitment to the Neighbourhood First policy and to strengthening cooperation for the mutual benefit of both nations. The talks also highlighted various initiatives, including the Indian Housing Project and ongoing projects under the USD 450 million package aimed at areas affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka," he stated.

Vice President Radhakrishnan arrived in Colombo on Sunday for a two-day official visit, showcasing the increasing diplomatic engagement between the two neighboring countries.

Upon his arrival in the Sri Lankan capital, he was greeted with a warm welcome that included a traditional Kandyan dance performance.

This visit is significant as it marks the inaugural official trip by an Indian Vice President to Sri Lanka, with a focus on strengthening the civilizational and people-to-people ties between the two nations.

His agenda includes interactions with leaders of the Indian-origin Tamil community and Tamil representatives from the Northern and Eastern regions of Sri Lanka.

The Vice President is also scheduled to address members of the Indian diaspora at a community event in Colombo, during which he will virtually hand over homes to beneficiaries from Tamil communities constructed under the third phase of the Indian Housing Project. With this phase, the total number of houses built for Tamil communities will reach 50,000, with an additional 10,000 homes currently under construction in the fourth phase.

On Monday, VP Radhakrishnan will visit Nuwara Eliya, where he will explore project sites and engage with the local Tamil community. Approximately 1.6 million Indian-origin Tamilians, constituting roughly 7 percent of Sri Lanka's population, are a significant demographic.

This visit follows a series of recent high-level exchanges between the two nations, including Sri Lankan President Dissanayake's trip to India in February and Prime Minister Amarasuriya's planned visit in October 2025. It is anticipated to further deepen the millennia-old civilizational and people-to-people ties shared by India and Sri Lanka.